Service Learning in Environmental Stewardship

Why?

Service-Learning

An Educational Method, in which students perform meaningful service to meet community identified needs while reflecting on their actions in a way that allows them to better understand course concepts, the role their discipline plays in society, and their civic identity (Springs Service-Learning Network)

Outcomes

Desired learning outcomes include: 1. Acquiring a sense of civic and social

responsibility, 2. Gaining exposure to cultural and socio-

economic differences3. Applying classroom learning and learning new

skills.

Outcomes

Strengthen understanding of core concepts while simultaneously meeting community needs

Not Just a Service Project

Service-Learning – service and learning goals of equal weight and each enhances the other of all participants

How will a service experience strengthen your academic experience

at WU?

Why Reflect?To develop more critical thinking skillsTo be responsible for the development of your own learningTo connect theory to practiceTo translate course content into real-life reflectionTo develop an understanding of your valuesTo learn to develop a project which promotes environmental stewardship

Biophilia

Christian Mission

“In wisdom you made them all, the Earth is full of your creatures.”

Psalm 104:24

Service Learning in Environmental Stewardship

Creating Green Samaritans

Developing values of creation care, sustainability and biophilia

Creating an awareness of the relationship of environmental issues to their career and their life, and how they are related to other social issues, both locally and globally

Honoring “God the Creator, the Sustainer and the Redeemer”

Course Models in Environmental Stewardship

Service Learning Courses-Mammoth Caves National Park-American Hiking Society

Discipline-Based Service Learning -Margaret Bell Middle School

-DC Environmental Policy Trip Community-Based Service Learning

-Sustaining Greene County -Center for Coal Field Justice-Greene County Watershed Alliance-Greene County Conservation District – Martin Nivereth-Elm Street Program/WPB/Nature Trail

Mammoth Caves

Creating Biophilia Through Environmental Stewardship

“I will take the memories of this trip with me forever. I realize now what a wondrous place God has given us in this world.”

Discipline-Based SL Educating the Next Generation

“Are Trees Like Us?”

Teaching Margaret Bell Middle School Students about trees

Official Note Takers a National Environmental Conference in Washington, DC

Providing Community Service to a National Environmental Organization

Community-Based Service Learning

A partnership with Sustaining Greene County Students provide environmental stewardship and learn about sustainable agricultural practices and landrestorationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPs1kF_kO1c (What is service learning video)

“The world is our classroom, and creation is our teacher.”

What Can Go Wrong?Student waits too long to start project at their service siteStudents are unable to fit in 30 hours of serviceStudent is not in communication with their community service partner, and thus plans fall throughStudent is not in communication with their service mentor, and thus problems with arise are not addressed in a timely manner.